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The manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, claims that his team is under pressure to win all of their remaining matches in the Premier League this season. This is because even with an eight-point lead over Manchester City, they would not have enough of a buffer.
Liverpool has the opportunity to increase their current five-point lead by defeating third-placed Arsenal on Monday, as City is not playing until then.
Pep Guardiola’s team currently has two games to catch up on, but their history of strong finishes in past seasons – winning their last 14 games in 2018-19 to narrowly beat their rivals from the north-west by one point, and only dropping six points in the final 12 matches of 2021-22 to secure another title by a single point – leaves no room for mistakes from the Reds.
The German asked, “Should I speak to the boys in the dressing room and mention, ‘If we defeat Arsenal, we will have an eight-point lead over them…’? This is common knowledge,” said the German, whose team has only suffered one loss in the league.
If we are defeated, we will still maintain a two-point lead (assuming City wins their postponed game as it currently stands). However, City will be the major beneficiary of a game in which they are not even playing.
“That type of discussion is acceptable externally, but internally we concentrate solely on completing our tasks.”
Over the years, we’ve learned that in order to be a part of City’s world, you must win all of your football games. That’s the bottom line.
At the moment, City is dominating and that is just how it is. They are playing exceptionally well and may feel that this is not their strongest season, yet they are still successful.
“We play a very good season and are in the moment two points ahead of City. We will try to make it as hard as somehow possible for everyone who wants to finish the season above us.”
Although there is uncertainty about forward Darwin Nunez’s availability due to a foot injury, Liverpool’s team is nearly at full physical readiness with the exception of Mohamed Salah (hamstring) and Wataru Endo (Asian Cup) who are currently unavailable for the near future.
The attacking line has been successful with Salah, but the midfield has also managed without Endo, their sole defensive midfielder.
Alexis Mac Allister has been given the responsibility for a majority of the season to give Endo the opportunity to adjust to English soccer, but the Argentine player was also adapting to a new position.
In the past few weeks, his defensive skills have significantly improved. In his last two matches against Bournemouth and Chelsea, he made nine and eight tackles respectively, which is the highest among all Liverpool players in the last three seasons. He also won 25 duels in those two matches.
Klopp exclaimed, “I am ecstatic! Macca is like a doctor for football.”
“Playing the position the way he plays is very special. (He is) super-smart and his contribution for all our play in possession is extremely important.
“This team is currently at the top of the table in the best league in the world. What does that indicate? Does this team have any poor players? No.”
Consistency is a key aspect in the life of every footballer. It is something that is constantly sought after and desired.
“At this time, the foundation is satisfactory, but it needs to be expanded to ensure that we are well positioned for the final stretch.”
Source: independent.co.uk